Sound post



E. R. BORN SOUND POST April 11, 1939.

Original Filed June 2, 1937 EBlBorn ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application June 2, 1937, Serial No. 146,067 Renewed October 3, 1938 2 Claims.

The invention relates to a resonator or sound post and more especially to a violin resonator or sound post.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a post of this character, wherein the same is adaptable for mounting within the sound box or chamber of a stringed musical instrument such as a violin and is susceptible of adjustment to vary and enhance the vibration when the instrument is being played, the elasticity and vibratory characteristics of the post being controllable so as to vary and increase the capacity of the said post to submit vibrations.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character, wherein the construction thereof is novel in form and is mountable within the sound chamber or body of a stringed musical instrument such as a violin for contact with the face of said body and the back thereof affording a bridge and assuring better resiliency and contact between such faces so as to render the musical instrument more easy to play, eliminating the necessity of exerting heavy bow pressure thereon to get volume and at the same time avoiding the tendency of the instrument to squeak when bow pressure is applied.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a resonator or post of this character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and effective in operation when applied, strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the body of a violin showing the resonator or post constructed in accordance with the invention applied.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3--3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A designates generally a portion of the body of a violin although the present invention is not to be limited to this particular kind of stringed instrument and 5 designates the back while 6 is the front or belly of such instrument. The bridge I used with the instrument is of conventional kind, a string of such instrument being indicated at 8.

Within the instrument A between the back 5 and the belly or front 6 is the resonator which comprises a section 9 preferably of wood although it may be composed of any material capable of conducting sound vibration. This section intermediate of itslength has cut into substantially oval or elliptical formations 10, these being separated at opposite sides of a central connecting neck H and provide on opposite sides of the latter the slots I2. The oval or elliptical formations II] have open centers l3 while outside of such formations are outwardly tapered ends l4, these respectively being in contact with the faces 5 and 6 of the instrument A. The section is disposed perpendicular or at right angles to the faces 5 and 6 with the ends l4 contacting therewith.

The ends I4 next to the formations l0 have narrow neck connections l5 therewith While at opposite sides of these neck connections are curled slots l6 opening laterally through opposite side edges of the said section 9.

Centrally of the ends M are substantially diamond shaped openings or holes I! while adjustably engageable in the slots l2 are wedging keys I8, these being movable toward or away from the neck H to vary the resiliency of the section 9 for increasing or decreasing the vibrating tendency thereof in the use of the resonator or post.

The open grill formation of the section 9 in association with the keys l8 affords a cushioning bridge between the walls 5 and 6 of the instrument A and assuring the tones of the instrument when played more resonate or subduing or modifying the tone as well as eliminating undue or harsh vibration.

What is claimed is:

1. A sound post comprising a section of material having outwardly tapered ends and intermediate separated substantially oval shaped por tions, and adjustable keys wedged between said oval portions.

2. A sound post comprising a section of material having outwardly tapered ends and intermediate separated substantially oval shaped portions, and adjustable keys wedged between said oval portions, the said ends being cut into from opposite side edges and having substantially centrally located openings.

ERNEST R. BORN. 

